Influence of Rice Grain Physico-Chemical Traits on Infestation of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier)

Experiment was conducted to observe the influence of grain physical and biochemical parameters against Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella at Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Bapatla. A total of 15 pre-released and released rice genotypes were evaluated to analyze their physical and biochemical characteristics. The grain hardness, grain length, grain breadth, husk thickness of rice genotypes ranged from 55.59 to 102.02 N, 7.52 to 9.56 mm, 1.96 to 2.86 mm, 0.09 to 0.23 mm, respectively. The percent protein, total soluble sugars, amylose, ash and silica contents of uninfested rice genotypes ranged from 6.13 to 9.03, 70.44 to 78.67, 20.87 to 35.37, 7.13 to 11.84, 2.91 to 6.18, respectively. Significant positive correlation was observed between grain damage and weight loss due to S. cerealella with regard to total soluble sugars, protein and ash content of rice genotypes, whereas, negative correlation was with regard to amylose and silica content of rice genotypes. The infestation of S. cerealella on rice genotypes showed significant increase in protein and ash contents after three months of storage.